IBM to Recall 56,000 Computer Monitors

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said IBM is voluntarily recalling 56,000 computer monitors for repair.

The problem is that the monitor’s circuit board can overheat and smoke, posing a fire hazard to consumers, the commission said. IBM said it received five reports of monitors overheating and smoking, including one report of minor property damage, but that no injuries were reported.

The commission said the recalled IBM monitors include the G51 CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) and G51t Touch Screen CRT models.

In addition, it said the G51 and G51t monitors have the following model numbers on a label on the back of the unit: 6541-02N; 6541-02E; 6541-02S; 6541-Q0N; 6541-Q0E; 6541-Q0S.

The alert said the label on the back of the recalled G51 models also has a date of manufacture between June 1997 and September 1997. The “IBM” logo can be found on the front of the units, which were manufactured in China and Malaysia.

The monitors were sold through IBM, MicroTouch Systems, and consumer electronics stores such as Best Buy, CompUSA, Office Max, and Radio Shack. They were sold between June 1997 through December 1998 for about $370.

IBM’s Website for more information is: www.ibm.com/pc/g51recall.